Fuad takes on Speaker

BARATARIA/SAN JUAN MP Dr Fuad Khan yesterday challenged House Speaker Barry Sinanan to categorically deny that he is being biased in favour of the ruling PNM.

In a statement, Khan said he is often “shocked” at the manner in which debates are conducted in the House of Representatives “and in particular the way in which the Speaker exercises his powers and responsibilities in administering the affairs of the said House.” He alleged that Sinanan has been allowing Government Ministers “a lengthy time to respond to questions from the Opposition” and has questioned “the relevance of the majority of the answers to the questions asked.” The UNC MP charged that Sinanan had breached Sections 92 (1) and 18 (1e) of the Standing Orders.  The former reads: “The Speaker shall have the power to regulate the conduct of business in all matters not provided for in these Standing Orders.” The latter reads: “Not more than one subject shall be referred to in any one question and a question shall not be of excessive length.”

Khan claimed that because Government Ministers repeatedly flout these rules, he can only conclude that “perhaps the Speaker may be biased when it comes to the execution of his duties and responsibilities in the House.” The UNC MP reiterated the party’s call for constitutional reform “hereby expressing a need for proportional representation and for the Speaker to be elected independently and not act as a puppet of the Government.”